Both bikes are yellow and in great shape (the Monster is actually Mint with all paperwork and the SS900 is in very good condition with a couple scratches on the lower fairing and the dealer just did a full 12k service on it).

Both are great bikes and both are similar (but much superior) to two previous bikes I've owned in the past (a 1998 CBR 600F3 which I still own but will sell if I buy the Duc, and a 1986 Yamaha Fazer 700S). I just can't decide which one to buy. I don't know which one is the better deal. Since you guys are Ducati experts, can you provide me with the pros and cons of each bike and which one you think is the better deal?

I should have been a bit more specific about what I'm looking for in a bike:

First of all, I really enjoy having a sportbike since I do 1 or 2 track days per year and I like the feel of a nimble bike in the twisties. However, I also use my bike in the spring, summer and fall (I live in New England) to commute to work (30-35 minutes each way). I found that my CBR600F3 was a bit uncomfortable on my commute after a while even though these bikes are not that aggressive. My lower back and wrists wound hurt after a while. So I was thinking about getting a bike with a bit more relaxed riding position (Hence the Monster). The problem is I don't want to give up the sportbike feel either. So hence my dillema. I really don't know which bike to get. I even thought about getting an ST but that may be a bit too tame for me and I still want to be able to do track days. So I guess the best thing would be to get both bikes but I can only afford one.

Both bikes are yellow and in great shape (the Monster is actually Mint with all paperwork and the SS900 is in very good condition with a couple scratches on the lower fairing and the dealer just did a full 12k service on it).

Both are great bikes and both are similar (but much superior) to two previous bikes I've owned in the past (a 1998 CBR 600F3 which I still own but will sell if I buy the Duc, and a 1986 Yamaha Fazer 700S). I just can't decide which one to buy. I don't know which one is the better deal. Since you guys are Ducati experts, can you provide me with the pros and cons of each bike and which one you think is the better deal?

Thanks!

Firstly, everything is negotiable, are those the bottom line prices on both? If from a dealer, you have not purchased, considering this is February, and that no dealer negotiates final price until you are ready to sign, I suspect either bike can be had for $500 to $700 off the price, if not more. No dealer I know of advertises bottom line, no haggle, pricing. [unless part of some promotion, but even on those sales they deal price].

That said, from a dependability standpoint, an important factor, the 2004 is the better way to go. That's practically a new bike. Maybe it still has some time on the two-year factory warranty?

However, if you can get the 1999 Supersport for $4500 or less, 13k miles is still pretty low mileage for a bike, so it may be a good deal also, the trade off being it is a 1999 versus the 2004 Monster. Keep in mind, however, that 1999 means it is a seven year old bike. That is getting old in many rider's minds and resale value may be affected [see below].

Bottom line, both can be good deals, all things considered. So that simply leaves your making a personal decision, one that no one else can make depending on what and how you want to ride, for reasons important and intimate to you.

One thing that you may want to factor in, that can tip the scales in either bike's favor, is resale value. Get the price low enough, ride the bike, and if it is not for you, simply resell it and get all your money back, or maybe a little less.

To have this option you would need to get the bike at a low enough price so that you could sell it later for little or no loss. Either bike, if you get in it right [on price] may give you the option to sell it later at no loss. [Maybe should not refer to any lesser selling price as a "loss" since you will have used the bike for at least the 2006 riding season. One should be expected to pay for that ].

I even thought about getting an ST but that may be a bit too tame for me and I still want to be able to do track days.

Get an ST! A tame bike it ain't. Remove the hard bags, raise the adjustable tailpipes to the high position, and you have a track bike. As proof, I have attached a photo of two ST4s's (not mine) doing a track day. When you are not doing track days, you have a daily commuter and a transcontinental sport touring machine.
Hey, you guys knew I was going to say that!

I should have been a bit more specific about what I'm looking for in a bike:

First of all, I really enjoy having a sportbike since I do 1 or 2 track days per year and I like the feel of a nimble bike in the twisties.

Can't comment about Monsters, but the SS is not what I think of as a "nimble" bike. I'm assuming by that you mean it can be flicked around at will. My pre-98 SS's were the kind of bikes you set up for a corner and then it felt like it was on rails. But, "flickable", it was not.

The Supersport seems to be the obvios choice of the two if your only going to have one bike.

But I┤d think real long and hard about the 900 engine. Sure, It┤s a great engine, but the 1000DS engine is SOOOO much nicer that it┤s scary.

The Supersport is a good bike on track, VERY nice in twisties and okey in town. But it does have some lean forward, so a commute might be abit hard if your riding in the city.

The Monster is a great commute, great twisties and moderate pace track bike. You CAN change some stuff to go faster on the track, but if you normally get a knee down, your going to be dissapointed when taking it to the track, compared to the SS.

A ST4s might be just the thing. the same engine as the Superbike 996, but with a more upright position and Íhlins suspension. This bike has a bigger "tourer" badge then it deserves. It┤s as much a touring bike as a Honda VFR. If it was a car, you would see it fit with the big GT cars like a BMW M5 and so on.

One thing to look at is the Multistrada. These bikes aren┤t really "pretty", but they are damned fun to ride. I┤ve had my ass handed to me by one multistrada rider at the track (And i consider myself pretty fast, being in the middle of the fastest group on track). They work extremly well bort in city and they where designed to do twisties. Longer rides with paniers is also among the things the bike does well.

Sorry.. I just made it worse!

Bottom line.. Try a Monster and an SS, but keep an open mind about the ST and Multistrudel.

I opted for the ST4S because of the engine, the stock suspension(on the 'S' model), the versatility and the fact its a wolf in sheeps clothing. Take a closer look at the ST line and read some more reviews. The ST4S has the 996 superbike engine tuned with slightly more torque and is anything BUT tame!!! It will do everything you mentioned you wanted in a bike!! Track days, bags on for commuting, sportbike feel.

The only problem I can see is some people say it has an aggressive riding position, more so then some current sportbikes if you look at the ergo's. It doesn't bother me a bit, but some who have commented have curred this with bar risers!

The ST4S has been discontinued and replaced with the ST3S. But you can find 02' to 05' ST4S's used all over. head over to the Sport touring forum and fire off any questions you may have they are always willing to "guide" you in the right direction.

Sorry to confuse your selection process but it sounds like you want an all rounder, and if thats the case then your looking at the wrong bikes....do some homework on the ST!

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